168 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING INSECTS. 



forceps may be closed rapidly ; the remaining portion of the arma 

 should be made so stout that they will not spring when closing the 

 blades ; c? is a pin to prevent lateral motion when the blades are closed; 



a the oval ring 

 must be covered 

 with a double cot- 

 ton tape tightly 

 sewed. If the for- 

 ceps are not more 

 j^ (, -^ than nine or ten in- 



] ches long the ring 

 need scarcely be 

 bound with tape. Its 

 angle and straight 

 side are useful in 

 capturing insects in particular situations. Then the space between the 

 rings, on their internal side, must be covered with the best bobbinet, 

 tightly drawn and securely sewed, so that a perfectly level surface be 

 formed, in order to prevent the captured insect from struggling. The 

 insect is pinned through the openings of the bobbinet, and is then 

 easily transferred to the collecting box, or stuck into the sides or top of 

 your hat, at pleasure. Two views of the instrument are given to 

 illustrate its form more fully. 



This instrument is not adapted for very small insects. For such, a 

 forceps with finer bobbinet is used, but even this is superfluous, if you 

 have become expert in employing the bag in sweeping, as well as in 

 holding it under plants, bushes, and flowers, and, by gently striking 

 or shaking them, allowing the insects to fall into it. Neither does it 

 answer for the capture of very active species. It is, for the most part, 

 useless to pursue such, and only betrays the intemperate zeal of the 

 beginner. It is better to ascertain where such species pass the night, 

 and thus you can easily capture that with your fingers which at other 

 times would cost much labor. An excursion early in the morning, 

 before the dew is off, is often very productive. 



To carry more instruments with you than those just mentioned is 

 an unnecessary burden. 



Besides the capture, the breeding of Diptera, is of the greatest im- 

 portance, and, for the most part, easy. The principal rule I follow, 

 in order to secure the perfect insect, is, to be in no hurry about 

 taking the imperfect one. If there is reason to presume that the 

 larvfe will change into the pupa state at the place where it is fonnd, 

 I wait until then and gather the pupas. On a contrary presump- 

 tion, I take the larvae only when I observe that they are preparing for 

 the pupa state. Decaying wood, mould in hollow trees, manure, and 

 ground-earth under manure, stems of plants, grass, stalks of hollow 

 weeds, dried flowers and their seed vessels, particularly of the Co7n- 

 posifce, furnish me the richest booty. 



A bag full of the dried flowers of the Compositce, or a bundle of dry 

 burdocks and thistles, which I have had gathered for a few pennies, has 

 always furnished me with something good. The pupfe of Diptera do 



